In 1896, Li Hongzhang, who had just experienced several heavy blows such as the disastrous defeat at the Sino-Japanese War, the signing of the humiliating Treaty of Maguan, and the assassination during the Japanese peace talks, was already exhausted. At this time, the country was even more indignant, and one after another pointed the spearhead at Li Hongzhang, believing that as a "minister with plenipotentiary power," he signed a traitorous treaty and lost his power and humiliated the country. In desperation, Cixi ordered Li Hongzhang to be removed from his post and investigated to calm the world's anger.
Just at this time, the Russian Emperor Nicholas II ascended the throne, and the Qing government sent Li Hongzhang as an emissary to congratulate him, and also had the intention of letting him go abroad to avoid the wind. The 75-year-old, the "last diplomat" of China's feudal dynasty, was also blessed by misfortune and embarked on a six-month-long journey around the world. On August 28, Li Hongzhang arrived in the United States by cruise ship for a visit, and the whole state of New York boiled over.
At the end of the 19th century, the United States has entered the era of industrialization. Americans are immersed in a vision of money, fashion, science, and the American dream. The arrival of the Qing mission led by Li Hongzhang undoubtedly opened the door to another world for the Americans, which represented different cultures, different ideas, and different people.
As a mission representing the Great Qing Dynasty, Li Hongzhang, in addition to wearing the official clothes and top of the Qing Dynasty, also deliberately put on the yellow coat that he valued most. When Li Hongzhang first disembarked, the entire dock and street were crowded with Americans who had come to admire the style of the Qing dynasty mission.
Li Hongzhang has been an official for decades and is himself an extraordinary person. Coupled with a height of 1 meter 8, thick-soled tide boots, it looks very tall. A yellow coat stood out among the American representatives wearing black and white suits, which stood out from the crowd. Those Americans who are not very familiar with the identity of the Qing Dynasty and Li Hongzhang have speculated that this majestic old man must be the emperor of the Qing Dynasty and the husband of Empress Dowager Cixi.
Li Hongzhang's trip in the United States lasted for 10 days, during which time he met with the President of the United States, paid homage to Grant's tomb, and visited the famous New York Chinatown. On September 1, Li Hongzhang also gave a unique speech in New York, promoting the traditional Chinese culture represented by Confucius, which made the Americans present marvel.
The Times also conducted an exclusive interview with Li Hongzhang, and in the process, Li Hongzhang also revealed his own voice. On this trip to the United States, What made Li Hongzhang feel most deeply was the skyscrapers in the United States, the popularity of education in the United States, and the education of women. Li Hongzhang told reporters that none of these great Qing countries existed, but they will certainly exist in the future. This bold remark not only has Li Hongzhang's imagination of the future, but also has an unspeakable heartache.
Li Hongzhang also issued his own appeal through the "Times", hoping that the Americans would not resist the Qing Dynasty and would not despise and insult the Qing Dynasty overseas Chinese who came to the United States. Major newspapers in the United States have forwarded this interview with Li Hongzhang one after another, and also tracked and reported Li Hongzhang's activities and itinerary in the United States, making the Great Qing Mission the largest hot news in the United States at that time.
And what welcomes Li Hongzhang the most is the fashion circle in New York. Li Hongzhang's long braids, red top wear, yellow coat, and the majestic official uniform of the Qing Mission all made the Americans who pursued fashion shine. It is a collision of cultures and cultures, a mysterious oriental style that fills the American gentleman in suit day after day with a yearning.
Li Hongzhang's trip to the United States was a success, he brought with him the voice of China, the culture of China, the story of China. But it was also the last happy mission of the late Qing diplomat. In 1901, Li Hongzhang, who returned to Beijing after signing the "Pro-Ugly Treaty", vomited blood, did not eat and drink, and died of illness in pain. He was not a good man or a bad man, but he bore too much for his country and nation, even if he bore the name of the ages.